Thanks for that. I do generally look on FB now. Teast is not bad. Do you know, as a kind of experiment, I approached an employer on Tealit that I hadn’t contacted before–sent my resume in along with qualifications. Here is their response:
“May I ask :
1.Could you please offer me a 2-3 mins video to let me check the pronunciation and assent?
2.where is your nationality?
3. around age?
4.May I ask what kind of visa you hold ? ARC or APRC ?”
Just like that. No hello, or nothing. At least two of those questions were answered in my resume. This is a Taiwan cram school today, advertising on Tealit. I suspect they will be advertising for some time to come.
I received an email flat out refusing to help me and called me “too boring and not outgoing enough” to help me find a job because I said I didn’t want to send a video to a complete stranger for them to do who knows what with.
So my CV with over 8 years teaching experience counts for nothing and someone FOB who sends a video is apparently better suited. This is my first time dealing with Taiwanese companies and they make Chinese companies seem sensible by comparison. Something I didn’t believe possible.
If I’m not wrong, Teast’s content, at least for Taiwan, is copied directly from FB, school websites, or other sources. It’s good enough, but if you want to apply as soon as jobs pop up and be sure you’re in touch with the right people, I wouldn’t use it as more than a reference.
This is how many Taiwanese who haven’t had business training reply to emails. I blame it on the text messaging culture. People read your email with the same mindset as they get a line message. You’ve initiated contact, now they reply. They probably glanced at your message, then copy and pasted the same response they give everyone. Schools get dozens of applications, and based on what some teachers write on facebook comments, like “hi”, they are probably used to getting a lot from people they would never hire. So those questions quickly let them sort through them to be sure they get they get someone who isn’t too old and the video is probably not only to check the accent but also the color (both illegal).
You should read the post I’m writing about finding a job in public and private schools. It should pop up today if I get around to it.
It is sort of odd. Things have definitely gone south in cram school land. Being asked for a video is absurd. As for Line, I will not communicate with a potential employer using Line. Email is my standard test–if they can’t answer an email sensibly, delete. Have you tried Tealit? Lol.
My feeling on the video thing is that if you think you can get a good feel for what kind of teacher I am even in a 30 minute video, you’re outta your mind. 99% of my teaching comes from engagement with my students. Potential bosses can actually talk to me. Hear what I have to say about language instruction. Tell me why I’m wrong so I can walk away and find something better to do with my life.
Its not in the contract, but if a little kid is shatting all over, the adult thing to do is help. If I saw a teacher just watch it unfold without helping, I would honestly wonder which one is the child should say, i have often wondered this about many a Co worker
Kind of like when we see a traffic accident, an old person fall, a landslide etc etc. The adult thing to do is help, not just avoid it or watch. I have opinions on the bystanders lol.
The right thing to do is help. For those that disagree, try cleaning shit out of solid wood flood slots and chair crevices/corners. It’s also just an efficiency thing, for those that don’t want it to be a compassionate thing.
Ps. I am near phobic when it comes to shit. At least, human shit. There are few things in life that freak me out more. But it must be dealt with. So it’s not like I am excited to volunteer for the job. But reality is reality. A little kid left on their own ain’t gonna be pretty!
Once I was subbing at a summer class where some new babies had joined the earliest kindy class. It wasn’t my class, but all the classes played at the same time. The bathroom was “open plan” and one little girl was sat in a prominent position shouting in Chinese “Finished!”. The Chinese teacher ignored her until her older sister said she needed help. That teacher said she could do it herself, but when she didn’t for a while, the teacher finally helped. In fairness, I saw all of this, but completely ignored it.
As was I before having kids. Having other parent friends, it’s become a popular topic of conversation, especially when my oldest comes into the living room and announces what he did.
Sitting on a toilet saying finished is an opportunity to teach the child. Shitting their pants on the floor is the time to help a child. Either way, the adults should get involved and not just tell them to fuck off
Not saying some parents aren’t shit. But rather doesn’t mean teachers have to be shit as well. 2 wrongs don’t make a right type of deal
The open plan tiny toilets were a real learning curve for me as well. If they told me I would move to the tropics, wipe kindy ass and sing ABC all day long, as a teenager, I’d of called them crazy
You are obviously a decent person. For the record, foreigners must not get invloved in wiping butts. It’s just not our responsibility, which is to say it is below our position in the hierarchy. This has got nothing to do with right and wrong, simply a matter of hierarchy. You are above wiping butts always.
I haven’t, and I agree. In that case, it was a sub job to fill a gap in my schedule my first year in Taiwan 20 years ago. It was one dump that I had no part in. And foreigners, or anyone not licensed to do so, as most foreigners can’t be, shouldn’t teach kindergarten. Butt, if you’re in an unhappy situation, a person not ruled by emotion, as most humans are, just deals with it.
I cant believe some of you guys have been wiping butts. Fuck me! Where were the Taiwanese teachers?
I once worked with a guy and he never gave the kids a high five. He said, i dont touch kids. No hugs, no high fives, no touching period. He didnt want to be accused of anything. Then we have got others wiping butts. Madness
Tealit was great for language exchanges and other shenanigans in the very early 2000s. For that, in my single days, it will always have a special place in my…
High fives are probably safe, but that’s the best policy. I think I had ever been in that situation, I would have cleaned a child, but I would have explained what happened to the boss, probably that someone else was neglecting their responsibilities, and made sure it didn’t happen again. If it was made part of my responsibilities, I would have refused.
. Schools don’t get that they can’t be picky these days.
should say, i have often wondered this about many a Co worker 
